Trump booed at Madison Square Garden in first NBA Finals appearance by a sitting president

Donald Trump was loudly booed by the Madison Square Garden crowd on Monday night as he became the first sitting US president to attend an NBA Finals game, appearing at Game 3 between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. The Knicks, who entered the night holding a 2-0 series lead, were playing their first home Finals fixture in 27 years.

Trump confirmed his attendance last week, saying he had been invited by Knicks owner James Dolan. His presence triggered sweeping security measures around the arena: Secret Service agents conducted advanced checks on fans entering the building, a sizeable security barrier was erected around MSG, and vehicular and pedestrian road closures covering a 10-block radius came into force roughly four-and-a-half hours before tip-off. Knicks supporters were also prevented from organising a watch party outside the arena.

When Trump appeared on the Jumbotron and saluted during the national anthem, thunderous boos rang around the stands. Several public figures had urged the president to scrap his plans to attend, with some accusing him of “ruining” what many regard as New York City’s most significant sporting occasion in nearly three decades.

Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox addressed the disruption earlier in the day, describing the president’s visit as an inconvenience for everyone involved. “I think the president being here just makes it inconvenient on everybody else,” Fox said. “We’ve got more, obviously, more security. We’ve got to send stuff early. I think our buses are a little earlier, so that’s that.”

Fox also confirmed that players were subjected to additional security screening. “Obviously, we’re getting screened like it’s TSA,” he said. “It’s a little inconvenient for the people that’s got to play, but that’s what it is.”

Trump had spoken warmly about the Knicks ahead of the game. “I’ve been a Knicks fan for a long time, and I’m also a Jim Dolan fan,” he said last week. “He’s got a team that’s amazing.”

The appearance came just days before the United States is set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.